Elbit Systems LANIUS loitering munition

Overview:

Elbit Systems’ LANIUS drone-based loitering munition ‘is a highly manoeuvrable and versatile drone-based loitering munition designed for short-range operation in the urban environment.’^[1]Elbit Systems, ‘LANIUS’, https://elbitsystems.com/product/lanius/ The system is said to be able to ‘autonomously scout and map buildings and points of interest for possible threats, detecting, classifying and syncing to Elbit Systems’ Legion-X solutions. Legion-X is a system that ‘has been designed as a multi-domain autonomous network combat solution for unmanned heterogenous swarms.’ ^[2]Elbit Systems, ‘Legion-X’, https://elbitsystems.com/media/Legion-X-Family.pdf 

Autonomy:

LANIUS is ‘equipped with an onboard companion computer that interfaces with the camera assembly and drone flight computer for autonomous control. The computer can execute a full flight profile, takeoff, navigation, and scouting without user intervention.’ ^[3]Elbit Systems, ‘LANIUS, ’https://www.cs.fsu.edu/~langley/CIS3250/2022-Fall/LegionX_LANIUS-4-Web.pdf Elbit Systems claims that the LANIUS is ‘capable of identifying people autonomously’, and can ‘distinguish between armed men who may pose a threat and unarmed civilians.’ ^[4]Defence Industry Europe, ‘Elbit Systems introduces the LANIUS, a drone-based loitering munition’, https://defence-industry.eu/elbit-systems-introduces-the-lanius-a-drone-based-loitering-munition/  The system uses ‘video analytics to determine entry points into a structure, map the inside of unknown buildings by performing simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) and identify combatants and non combatants among the building occupants. It is also equipped to defeat threats using explosive payloads with man-in-the loop control.’ ^[5]Elbit Systems, ‘LANIUS, ’https://www.cs.fsu.edu/~langley/CIS3250/2022-Fall/LegionX_LANIUS-4-Web.pdf